Qatar was an unbelievable start to the season and was only won on the very last corner. The race was the complete opposite of the Formula One opening race which had the biggest buildup known to man, but was literally over in the first hundred metres and only had one decent overtake in the whole race.
To make matters worse I got up at four in the morning to watch it live - fell asleep around lap 32 and woke up on lap 58 only to find there were no position changes.
Can that really class as a race? The winner was over 20 seconds ahead of second place - wow.
I know we get the odd boring race in MotoGP and BSB British Superbikes but that is the exception! But even a dull motorcycle race still has some decent overtaking and excitement.
No matter how well designed a motorcycle gets, the rider sitting on top is the one that determines the outcome, it’s up to him or her to earn the win. Once the lights go out there is nothing their team can do. I know they might look busy, but I’ve been in the garages of the top teams whilst the race is on and they’re just spectators like us, with their fingers crossed - that is real racing!
MOTOGP - ARGENTINA - ROUND 2
TERMAS DE RIO HONDO - 31/03/19
Last year was a crazy race with an amazing and unexpected win for Cal Crutchlow but this year I don’t think there’ll be any repeat.
Marc Marquez will be right up for it after his brilliant second place at Qatar.
I know he had a nightmare at Qatar but let’s not forget about Marc’s teammate Jorge Lorenzo, he’s a class rider with a point to prove.
Andrea Dovizioso was incredibly cool in Qatar and seemed to be in control right through the race, so much so that after the race he didn’t look like a man who was surprised that he won - is this a new Andrea and can he do it again in Argentina?
Maverick Viñales - where did he go? I predicted third but Viñales did a Viñales and disappeared.
Thankfully team mate Valentino Rossi turned up on the Sunday a grabbed fourth for Yamaha. Not really the start they were looking for but it could have been a lot worse.
Cal Crutchlow finishing third at Qatar wasn’t in the script and I certainly didn’t see it coming. Cal smashed his ankle really badly in Australia last year and I don’t think too many people thought he’d fare well at Qatar. So can Cal do it again in Argentina? The answer has to be yes it’s possible after all he did win it last year.
So who is going to win in Argentina? I think this year Andrea Dovizioso looks really focused and Marc Marquez is going to have to be on top form to beat him, but my money is still on Marquez - I hope I’m wrong!
